Something for everyone

Excitement was in the air Friday as spectators and participants awaited the start of the Camas Days Kids’ Parade.

The annual festival offered food, vendor booths, activities, music and fun throughout the streets of downtown.

Alex Sample, 9, and his family dressed as 1910 Boy Scouts in conjunction with the theme, “Moments to Remember.” Sample’s creativity also earned him a first place award for individual costume.

“This felt really good,” he said. “I like everything about Camas Days.”

Nancy Sample, Alex’s grandma, added, “We have participated in the parade every year since our kids were tiny. We love it.”

All three girls were in agreement that face painting was a must-do.

Scout noted that visiting the Truly Scrumptious booth was also important, while Tallulah and Harlow named the rock climbing wall and bouncy houses as their favorite aspects of Camas Days.

Donna and John Weaver, of Washougal, enjoyed watching their grandson, Thaddeus, 5, weave his way through the caterpillar obstacle course. Coming to Camas Days is an annual tradition.

“We just like it all,” she said. “There is something fun for everyone. It really draws the community together.”

Felinda Mulloy watched the action from her Aprons Gone Buggy booth. It is the Woodland resident’s second year as a vendor.

She creates unique aprons from recycled materials.

“I really enjoy the people here,” she said. “They are friendly and want to know about my products. Everyone is interesting and there is a real diversity.”

Debbie Hall, owner of Debbie’s Fun & Affordable Jewelry, has been a vendor for four years.

“The people here are great,” she said. “We also have a good location. The parade goes right by us so we feel like we are a part of things. This event is really unique and I enjoy it.”

Camas Days also included an annual Senior Royalty luncheon following the Grand Parade on Saturday.

Royalty Alma and Charles Ladd were the guests of honor. Several Ladd family members attended, in addition to former Royal Court members.

Despite the chillier than usual temperatures Saturday, nine teams braved the plunge into icy cold water during the annual bathtub races.

Trophies were provided by Lutz Hardware to the top three bathtub race finishers. They are “Bathtub Bandits” Greg Irwin, Triston Groth and Tanya Groth (third place); “Family is All That Matters” Jason Mishler, Rio Aguilar and Ryan Aguilar (second place) and the Lutz Hardware team of Shauna Ahearn, Taylor Rowland and Austin Krout (first place).

After its first bathtub came apart, the iQ Credit Union team posted a time of 14.81 seconds on the race course in downtown Camas.